Fairy Tail's Fire

Gray Beckoned by the Dragon's Roar

Gray shot up out of the hospital bed with an audible gasp as beads of sweat dripped down his face. He huffed while smoothing back his hair. "It was just a dream." He sighed in relief. He stared down at his shaking hands and then at Juvia.

As if she could feel Gray staring at her even in her sleep, she slowly opened her eyes, fluttering them until they adjusted to the light.

"Hmm..?" She muttered as she pushed herself against the bed to prop herself onto Gray.

Rubbing her eyes, she mumbled sleepily, "What's wrong, Gray?"

"It's nothing." He smiled at her reassuringly. "Get some rest, you need it." He placed a hand on her cheek and then let it slide down to her hand. Juvia's face turned as red as Erza's hair.

Gray chuckled at Juvia's reaction. He'd never tell her, but he secretly did things to fluster her on purpose because he loved her reactions.

"You know I-" He began but immediately stopped, whirling his head towards the window.

"That can't be..." Gray muttered, his eyes going wide. He flung off the bed sheets and ran towards the window.

"No..." He uttered, his voice trembling in absolute terror.

"Gray...?" Juvia asked cautiously, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, but not fully getting up.

"Shh..." He hushed her, releasing his iron grip on the window sill. He knew what he heard and felt. He grabbed Juvia, pushing her back onto the bed, and then taking off, his shirt fluttering in the air behind him.

"Gray!" Juvia exclaimed, scrambling out of the bed after him.

"Stay here, Juvia!" He commanded, his voice carrying a hint of desperation. "It's too dangerous!" He burst out, the hard, terrified look in his eyes made Juvia halt in her steps.

"But Gray..." She whispered, a hand covering her mouth as tears started to form from her eyes.

"Stay. Here." He stressed, she didn't need to be brought into this mess any more than she already was.

He walked up to her, gently clasping her by the shoulders, his eyes boring into hers. "I'll be back. Promise." He reassured her before spinning around and bolting for the outskirts of Magnolia.

Gray stumbled from the pain of his fresh wounds. He brought his trembling hand to his side, feeling something sticky. Bringing his hand up to his face, his blood glistening in the light, trickling down his hand as it did gravity's biding. He smirked as he muttered bitterly, "At least I'm alive. I can settle my score with that pink haired pyro. For hurting the guild. And especially for hurting Juvia." His face furrowed in anger. "I'm coming for you, Natsu!" He bellowed, his new found motivation giving him a burst of energy.

He finally reached the edges of Magnolia and a blinding light swept the field. It rivaled the one he saw through the window. He flung up his arms to shade his eyes from the light.

"Woah..." He uttered in awe as he slowed down to a gallop. The heat was excruciating, his cold body being the only thing that kept him from being burned into a crisp. He'd know those flames anywhere.

Then, like a freight train, a roar so loud hit him and he doubled over, clutching his ears in pain. "Agh!" He blared, gritting his teeth in hopes of suppressing the pain.